Kaepernick blocks out the chatter about his worst game

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Ross D. Franklin

September 30, 2015

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Opposing defender Tyrann Mathieu went off about how San Francisco's simplified passing game made it clear where Colin Kaepernick's throws were going in Sunday's 40-point, four-interception loss at Arizona. The quarterback's worst game as a pro prompted plenty of people to question his game and all that work he put in with Kurt Warner over the offseason in the desert, or even call for his job.

''That's not really something I'm concerned with. I have confidence in myself as far as being able to go out and help this team win,'' Kaepernick said Wednesday. ''What other people think of how I play and how I go about things really isn't something I worry about.''

As for the Honey Badger's postgame comments about how the Cardinals thrived against the predictable offense, Kaepernick insisted he hadn't even heard about it.

''We're not running a high school offense, but we have core concepts that we stick to and a lot of them we didn't even get to because of the situation of the game,'' wideout Torrey Smith said. ''They made some great plays, put us in a tough spot right away.''

Kaepernick won't alter his approach, either, aside from finding ways to adjust on the fly when necessary.

''We go out, we run our plays. We have play designs for a reason. It's not going outside our offensive scheme to try to make a play,'' he said.

Kaepernick watched the game film Sunday and Monday, and he now gets a chance against unbeaten Green Bay (3-0) at home Sunday knowing that two of his best performances have come against the Packers. He has taken off out of the read option to burn the Packers and passed his way to wins in the rivalry, too. Even beaten them in a deep freeze.

Yes, Green Bay has seen way too much of No. 7 in recent years.

''He's a dynamic player,'' Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. ''Obviously we've had some issues with him in the past.''

Kaepernick acknowledged he has to ''have quick answers'' when under pressure to get rid of the ball and make good decisions to avoid costly mistakes like the ones against the Cardinals.

''Straight up fact is we've put ourselves in position for two weeks now you haven't seen our offense,'' coach Jim Tomsula said. ''That was a bad game, when we talk about our passing game right there. One of my concerns right now is not that our quarterback and our confidence level in those areas is going to go down the tubes.''

Tomsula said players returned to work Tuesday still frustrated about what happened, but had snapped out of it as the day went on and everybody's attention turned to the tall task that is the Packers.

''What do you want me to tell you, there's no frustration? I'm not going to lie to anybody,'' Tomsula said. ''That all better be in the right place or one game leads into two games, leads into three games, leads into four games.''

As far as Kaepernick being angry, frustrated, or whatever other emotion might come to mind, he doesn't have time to dwell on any failures - however magnified the mistakes might be.

''I'm not too big on feelings. Feelings aren't going to help me win a game,'' Kaepernick said Wednesday. ''I'm focused on doing what I can to help this team win.''

He's done that before against Green Bay.

In a sensational playoff debut in January 2013, Kaepernick used his speedy legs to run for a quarterback playoff-record 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Then, in a season-opening win against the Packers in September that same year, the strong-armed QB threw for a career-best 412 yards and three scores.

Then in frigid Green Bay with subzero temperatures, Kaepernick scrambled 11 yards to set up Phil Dawson's winning 33-yard field goal as time expired in San Francisco's 23-20 victory in the NFC wild-card game in January 2014.

''We know he's a talented guy. He's had some big-time games against us,'' Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. ''I'm sure our defense is expecting him to play well.''

Notes: LB NaVorro Bowman, who missed all of last season recovering from left knee surgery, will regularly sit out Wednesday practices to stay healthy. ... RB Reggie Bush is back practicing this week after injuring his left calf in the season-opening win against Minnesota on Sept. 14 and not playing since.